Apparatus for cleaning hypodermic needles



H. G. MOLINARI APPARATUS FOR CLEANING I-IYPODERMIC NEEDLES Sept. 4, 1956 Filed March 19. 1954 m l l l 2 w 12 Z M 2 6 5 5 ATTO R N EYS Sept 4, 1956 H. G. MoLlNARl 2,761,250

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING HYPODERMIC NEEDLES Filed March 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /1, 'gi g 7 l nlln lil h n f y FQ/ INVENTOR Hfury (i li'nar ATTORNEYS www Unit@ Patented Sept. 4, 1956 APPARATUS FR CLEANING HYPODERMIC NEEDLES Henry G. Molinari, Rutherford, N. J., assignor to Becton,

Dickinson and Company, Rutherford, N. J., a corporation of N ew `llersey Application March 19, 1954, Serial No. 417,43

Claims. (Cl. 5L-8) This invention provides an improved apparatus for the cleaning of hypodermic needles and also teaches a method by means of which hypodermic needles may be more efficiently produced.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a mechanism which may be readily manipulated by an operator without any special training or skill to eiiiciently clean a number of hypodermic needles in a single `operation. So cleaned, their bores will be free from obstructions, thin portions or other extraneous parts, largely resulting from the grinding operations on the needle, will also be removed. Thus, after the apparatus of the present teachings has been used, the needles will be ready for a nal cleaning operation and sterilization and the painstaking and expensive procedures heretofore prevailing in the initial cleaning of a needle, may be completely avoided.

A further object is that of providing an apparatus by means of which the foregoing results may be achieved and which apparatus will include relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction and having a long life such that they may be used for extended periods of time with freedom from all difficulties, such parts as eventually require renewal, being capable of ready replacement.

Still another object is that of teaching a method of forming and cleaning needles which method is capable of ready practice so that one may be assured that the unit is subsequently ready for final cleaning and sterilizing operations and thereafter placed on the market.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings, both illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a partly sectional plan view of one form of unit which is conveniently employed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view taken along the line 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 and in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic representation of the apparatus in process of being used;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternative form of apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary face view of the cover assembly as shown in Fig. 5.

Referring primarily to Figs. l, 2 and 3, the numeral 10 indicates a supply line or tube through which abrasiveladen air flows under substantial pressure and velocity to the body 11 of the unit. The latter is provided with a manifold portion 12 from which branches 13 extend. A mounting post and flow-dividing unit 14 may be centrally disposed within the manifold chamber 12 in order to assure that an even tlow of air occurs to each of the passages 13.

At the outer end of body 11 a plurality of stern portions 15 are provided. These are hollow and each may be lined by a metallic cannula section 16. The latter serve to reinforce and rigidify the stems. These, together with body 11 and tube 1li connected thereto, may be formed integrally and of No. 2l() Buna rubber. As shown especially in Fig. 2, the upper faces of manifold chamber 12 and passages 13 may be open. To confine this space, a cover plate 17 of metal may be used which is secured against detachment by, for example, bolts 18, the stems of which engage within threaded recesses forming parts of body 11. The inner face of this cover is lined with a layer 19, also conveniently of Buna rubber of the grade aforementioned.

ln the form under consideration in Figs. 1 to 3, five hypodermic needles are simultaneously cleaned. These needles include cannula 20, to the inner ends of which hub or mounting portions 21 are attached. The outer ends of the cannula are provided with piercing points and cutting edges in the usual manner by more or less conventional grinding operations. These parts of the needle have not been illustrated in that they are well known. After this grinding and point-forming operation, it is necessary that the bores of the assemblies be cleared of any accumulations or obstructions and that any ns resulting from the grinding be removed. Having in mind that ve needle assemblies are being treated, a corresponding number of stems 15 have been shown as well as the same number of connecting passages or branches 13.

An operator or a machine positions the needle assemblies within a jig or holder. This-as shown in Figs. l and 2-may include a hollow sheet metal member 22 provided with a series of openings through which the reduced ends of the hub portions 21 extend to maintain the latter in predetermined positions. The surfaces of the rub assemblies bear against the inner faces of this jig so that they will be maintained in positions properly spaced with respect to each other. So positioned, it will be feasible for the operator to simply move the jig with the needles mounted therein to a point where the hub assemblies of the latter align one with each of stems 15. Thereupon, these parts may be moved together so that the hub assemblies ensleeve or are telescopically disposed with respect to the outer ends of the same. This positioning of the parts has been shown in Figs, l and 2.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4, a source of air under pressure is supplied through a line 23 to tank 24. The latter contains abrasive of suitable lineness and this abrasive is distributed through the air; the mixture flowing away from tank 2d through a tube 25. The latter is connected to tube 10. Conveniently at the point of connection, a further tube 26 may be provided although this tube may be directly connected with the supply line 23 so that only clean air will be distributed through it. A hood or shield 27 also preferably forms a part of the assembly and terminates in an exhaust line 28 connected to a source of suction (not shown).

As will be obvious with the parts grouped together as shown in Figs. l and 2, an operator, by means of a suitable control valve (not shown), may permit a flow of abrasiveladen air through tubes 25 and l@ and thence through the bores of cannula 16 if the latter are used, from chamber 12 and branches 13. The air will flow under substantial velocity and will pass into engagement with the inner end of the hub portion 21 of a needle and through the bore of that needle 20. Due to the abrasive which is carried by this air, any obstructions in the bore of a needle will be cleared. Also, any n portions, especially adjacent the outer ground end of the needle, willy be removed. This will be especially true when it is realized that the needle bore is of very reduced diameter in cornparison with the bore of stem 15 and/or cannula 16. Therefore, while the abrasive laden air is moving through the latter bores at substantial speed, it ow will be accelerated when passing through the bore of the needle. That acceleration will bear a ratio of approximately 10 to 1 in comparison with the speed of iiow through stems 15.

The abrasive-laden air will be discharged beyond the ends of the needles 2li as shown in Fig. 4. lt will pass into hood 27 and thence through conduit 28 to the exhausting apparatus. The operator, after permitting the discharge of `air through the cannula 20 to continue for a predetermined interval of time, will interrupt further ow through their bores. Thereafter, air through tube 26 may be directed through the instrumentality of a nozzle (not shown) or directly against the ends of the needles in order to remove any abrasive therefrom. The jig 22 will now be removed together with the set of needles which has been cleaned and the latter will be stripped from that jig, subjected to an ordinary cleaning action and thereafter sterilized and packaged.

In Figs. to 8, an apparatus has been shown which, in many respects, is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and by means of which t-he same method may be practiced. In these '.gures, the numeral 3f) identifies a jig or holder corresponding to that heretofore designated at 2.2. The unit 3@ as illustrated is capable of accommodating far more needles than the one shown in Figs. l and 2. A body 31 is provided preferably again formed of Buna rubber and which embraces a recess 32 from which passages extend, similarly to the structure 'shown in Fig. l. The recess connects with a tube portion 34 having a bore 33 coupled to a source of compressed air within which latter a suitable abrasive is suspended. As illustrated, each of the compartments or chambers 32 may have extending from it five tips or stems v35 corresponding to the stems 15 heretofore described and which likewise may be reinforced by metal tubes or cannula. The number of openings provided in jig or holder 30 will, of course, correspond to the number of stems or tips 35.

A cover 36 overlies the open faces of bodies 31 to close the chambers or compartments 32 thereof. This cover is conveniently formed of Buna rubber. A metallic casing 37 embracing any number of sections encloses or provides a continuation of bodies 32 and their covers and is formed with Openings in its forward end through which the stems 35 extend. This forward end may also be provided with a facing plate 3S. A shaft 39 is rotatably supported by the casing 37 and conveniently provided with a handle 40 by means of which it may be rocked. This shaft has attached to its cranks 41 to which the rear ends of links 42 are pivotally coupled. Body 37 slidably supports levers 43 in the form of double bell cranks. The rear ends of these levers are pivotally coupled one to each vof links 42 and stop pins 44 are carried by body or casing 37 to cooperate with the rearward arms of these levers. The forward ends of the levers have their arms 45 preferably terminating in angularly extending portions which, in effect, provide hooks projectible beyond stems 35. The distance of this spacing is such that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7, a jig or holder 30 will be rmly seated upon and ensleeved over stems 35 with its outer face firmly engaged by arms 45.

Preferably disposed adjacent and below the series of nozzles or stems 35 is a transversely extending tube 46. This tube is formed with a series of perforations 47 which conveniently correspond in number to the number of needles capable of being supported by jig 30. The tube is supplied with compressed air from any suitable source and this air is not abrasive-laden. Bolts 48 may extend through the body of encasing member 37 and the bodies 3 2.` providing the air-conducting manifolds and passages and secure these parts against relative displacement. Screw-threaded stems 4.9 may have bearing in plate 38 with their rear ends terminating in flanged portions 50 and preferablyknurled heads 51. These flanges and heads bear within or against the surfaces of body 37 on extensions thereof. Therefore, by tightening these bolts, all parts of the assembly are firmly drawn together so that these parts will ihave proper relationship and sealing engagement.

In using an apparatus of the type shown in these latter figures, an operator will be supplied with successive jigs or holders 30 mounting a suitable number of needles to be cleaned. By shifting handle 40, shaft 39 will be rocked. This will cause cranks 41 to move in counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 7. With such movement, links 42 will shift toward plate 38 and the rear crank arms of levers 43 will engage with pins 44. Therefore, these levers will also rock in counterclockwise directions. cordingly, their forward ends 45 will move in similar directions and shift to a point above and to one side of stems 35. It follows that an operator will have no difficulty in aligning jig or xture 30 with these stems and then moving it in a direction axially of those stems or nozzles to a position such as has been shown in dot and dash lines in the central portion of Fig. 7. Thereupon, by simply returning handle 40 to its initial position, eaoh crank 43, under the action of gravity, will have its outer arm assume a position beyond the jig or holder and, under continued rotation of shaft 39 in a clockwise direction, this arm will be drawn into rrn engagement with the outer face of the holder to thereby assure that the latter occupies a proper position with respect to the nozzles 35. When the parts have once assumed this position, then the operator, by suitable valve control (not shown), will cause abrasiveladen air to be discharged through tubes 34 and passages 33 to chambers 32 and thence through the bores of nozzles 35 into the hub portion (if used) of the needle assemblies and so through the bores of those needles. A hood corresponding to hood 27, together with a source of vacuum, will of course preferably be employed to collect the air thus discharged.

When the cleaning operation has once been completed to remove obstructions and fins, the further supplying of abrasive-laden air is discontinued. Now by again shifting lever 40 or its equivalent, shaft 39 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and cranks 43 are rocked so that the jig may be removed from association with the nozzles or Sterns 35. After effecting such removal, the operator will bring the jig, together with the needles carried thereby, to a position overlying tube 46 and in registry with the perforations or openings 47 of the latter as shown in dot and dash lines in the lower portion of Figure 7. The air supplied through this tube may either be continuous or else controlled by a valve. In any event, with air flowing through that tube, it will discharge through perforations 47 and blow through the entire space defined by the hub portions of the needles if such portions be present. That air will also How through and escape from the bore of the cannula. ln such escape, it will be effective to remove any residual abrasive particles which may remain adhered to the surfaces of the needle assemblies.

In this form of apparatus, as well as in the one de- Vscribed in connection with Figs. l to 4 inclusive7 the same method of procedure prevails. In other words, the cannula are reduced to sections of desired length. If hub portions are to form a part of the needle assemblies, then these are attached to 4the needles. Thereupon, the ends of the needles are ground to embrace the desired piercing points and cutting edges in accordance with wellknown techniques. The needle assemblies are now associated with suitable holders such as 22 and 30. These may, of course, also have been used in connection with the grinding operation wherever practical. In any event, abrasive-laden air is discharged through the lumen of the needles and their hubs and all surfaces of the latter are cleaned so as to remove foreign material, clear obstructions within the bores and remove n portions such as Particularly result from the grinding operation. There- Ac- Y after, clean air is preferably passed through each of the needles with suicient force to remove any particles of foreign material or undesired sections which have been loosened by the abrasive and particularly to remove particles of that abrasive from the surfaces of the assemblies. The needles may now be subjected to the usual cleaning and sterilizing operations after which they are suitably packaged and ready for use.

ln operating either the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 or 5 to 8 inclusive, the attendant may employ a plate or other unit to assure that a proper functioning of the parts is occurring. In other words, a plate or sheet arranged in advance of the outer ends of the needles will act as a tell-tale so that assurance may be had that a proper amount of abrasive is flowing through the lumen of each of the needles. This will, of course, be evidenced by the abrasive visually striking the coated or uncoated surface of the sheet and scarifying the same. With substantially even markings on the sheet in line with the outer ends of the needles, a proper ow will be occurring.

Thus, among others, the objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction may be resorted to and the steps of the method may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

l. A needle cleaning apparatus including in combination a hollow body, an inlet communicating with the interior of such body and through which abrasive-laden air is introduced, means defining an outlet from said body, needle clamping means movably supported with respect to said body and actuating means connected to said clamping means to move Ithe latter towards said body at a point adjacent said outlet and retain the lumen of a hollow needle in communication with the latter.

2. A needle cleaning apparatus including in combination a hollow body, an inlet communicating with the interior of such body and through which abrasive-laden air is introduced, a plurality of hollow fingers defining outlets from said body and a needle clamping assembly rigidly attached to said body for removably and simultaneously clamping a set `of needles to have their bores in operative association with said outlets.

3. A needle cleaning apparatus as speciiied in claim 2 wherein said needle clamping assembly includes a casing fused to said body, a needle clamping means movably supported on lthe casing and actuating means connected to the casing and the clamping means for moving said clamping means toward said body adjacent said outlets.

4. A needle cleaning apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein said clamping means comprise a lever in the form `of a double bell crank shaft.

5. A needle cleaning apparatus including in combination a hollow body, an inlet communicating with the interior of such body and through which abrasive-laden air is introduced, a plurality of hollow fingers defining outlets from said body, a casing Xed to said body, a needle clamping means movably supported on the casing and actuating means connected to the casing and the clamping means for moving said clamping means toward said body adjacent said outlet, said actuating means including in combination a shaft rotatably supported by said casing, links pivotally associated with the shaft and a pin connected to the casing for guiding rthe movement of said actuating means in operating said clamping means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 990,409 Walsh Apr. 2,5, 1911 1,073,963 Cottle Sept. 23, 1913 1,889,132 Peik Nov. 29, 1932 1,923,635 McCrery Aug. 22, 1933 1,951,627 Peik Mar. 20, 1934 1,974,967 McCrery Sept. 25, 1934 2,087,694 Malmros July 20, 1937 2,117,648 Bottorf May 17, 1938 2,332,281 Van Der Pyl Oct. 19, 1943 2,395,479 Heany Feb. 26, 1946 2,431,354 Wallberg Nov. 25, 1947 2,525,264 Milner Oct. 1G, 1950 2,631,413 Platt et al Mar. 17, 1953 2,665,689 Butler Jan. 12, 1954 

